Lucknow, November 11: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, who was one of the pioneers of the Ayodhya movement, on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute. Talking to reporters here, Kalyan Singh said with the decks finally cleared for construction of Ram temple, it was the realization of a dream for him. "Everyone has welcomed and accepted the Supreme Court decision which is just and legal and all-inclusive. It has put an end to a 500-year-old dispute," he said.

He further said that the court had done the right thing by entrusting the construction of Ram temple to a trust. Kalyan Singh, who was Chief Minister of UP when the Babri Masjid demolition took place, however, refused to take questions related to the Supreme Court's remarks about the demolition. Ayodhya Verdict: Rashtra Bhakti Above Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, Says PM Narendra Modi.

"I am facing a case of criminal conspiracy that is being probed by the CBI. Whatever I have to say, I will say before the court," he said. Kalyan Singh, who retired from the post of Governor of Rajasthan in September, had earlier enjoyed legal immunity by virtue of his post. After his retirement as Governor, he was charged in the demolition case by the CBI court in Lucknow.

The BJP leader said he was looking forward to a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and wanted the temple town to witness rapid development. "Ram and roti (employment) should be linked so that everyone gets the benefit," he said. Asked whether the BJP would derive political mileage from the issue, he said, "It is not a political issue, but a matter of faith and culture." Kalyan Singh said he would visit Ayodhya, but the date and time is not yet decided.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 11, 2019 08:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).